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Executive
Director Tracye Polson
Shares Tips for Parents and Children During
Stressful Financial Times
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First, parents and financial heads of households
need to take care of themselves emotionally and
physically during this stressful period of time.
Caregivers will be unable to provide the emotional
support and reassurance to their children if they
are overly anxious and cannot contain that anxiety.
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Always
keep in mind your child's development and use
this understanding as a guide for how much to
say and when. Younger children won't understand
too much detail. What they need is clear and simple
language about what is happening or about to happen
and then they need to be allowed to have their
own emotional and behavioral reaction to it. A
parent's job is to provide the support and containment
and at the same time to set limits. For example,
if parents decide that the family can no longer
afford a particular activity they will need to
inform the child in a calm, matter of fact manner
and in a time frame that provides the child some
time to absorb what the change means. Ideally,
parents will be able to empathize with their child's
feelings of loss, confusion and anger about the
change. Often though, this can fuel guilt feelings
in parents.
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An
effective way to reassure children is to be clear
about what will happen and when and to let them
know that even though mom/dad has lost her/his
job, the parents are still in charge and will
be taking the necessary steps to take care of
the family. And in the meantime, we will be saving
money by not eating out or going to the movies
as much as before.
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In
the event a family loses their home and has to
move, it is even more crucial that parents get
support and guidance on how to handle a myriad
of feelings that will be stimulated as a result
of such substantial changes. Children may need
to change schools and therefore they will need
additional support, too.
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In
addition to allowing the feelings of anger, sadness,
confusion and anxiety, it is important to focus
on positive aspects of the family life that hasn't
changed. This is something the whole family can
participate in and can become part of working
together during difficult times. Children and
especially older children and teens will feel
a part of working together as a family if they
feel their ideas and voices are heard so ask them
for their ideas on how the family can cut back
and save money during tighter financial times.
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